Democratic Clubs Endorse Reno

August 4, 2002|By Rafael A. Olmeda Staff Writer

A bickering Council of Presidents of Democratic Clubs in Broward County endorsed Janet Reno's campaign for governor Saturday, but only after more than a quarter of the group's voting members left the meeting in protest.

"These are the recommendations of the council, and they are final," said John Coleman, a Reno supporter who is president of the council.

"I am honored to receive the support of the Broward Council of Presidents," Reno said in a statement released by her campaign. "These Democratic activists are ready to turn out the vote. We'll be working hand in hand to energize and mobilize voters on Election Day," she added.

The vote came four weeks after Reno and challenger Bill McBride addressed the council presidents, each claiming to be uniquely qualified to defeat Gov. Jeb Bush in November.

Supporters of both candidates said the council was wrong to weigh in on the campaign, in which Reno remains ahead of McBride in polls.

"You don't choose Democrats over Democrats," said McBride supporter Murray Goldstein, vice president of the Parkland Coral Springs Democratic Club. "This should never have happened."

"I will not vote. I've been against it all along," said Sophie Bock, president of the Century Village Pembroke Pines Democratic Club. Bock was one of eight members who marched out of the meeting rather than vote on an endorsement.

Although Bock supports Reno, she agreed with McBride backer Caryl Hattan, who said choosing between gubernatorial candidates is like choosing a favorite child.

Only 29 of the 42 club presidents attended Saturday's meeting in the community room of the Davie Police Station. Of those, 21 voted after the walkout.

Ironically, the walkout may have secured the endorsement for Reno. According to the club's bylaws, Reno would have needed 13 votes to win the 20 percent margin of victory needed to secure the endorsement. Two sources said she received exactly 13 votes, but Coleman refused to confirm the count, citing council policy. Reno would have needed five of the eight walkouts to maintain the required margin of victory.

Most of the walkouts were McBride supporters.

In other races, the council endorsed Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox for attorney general, and gave a thumbs-down to the re-election bids of state Sen. Mandy Dawson and Reps. Matt Meadows and Roger Wishner, all of Fort Lauderdale. The council endorsed their opponents, respectively, Corey Alston, Alain Jean and Franklin Sands.

Coleman dismissed criticism of the decision to endorse a candidate.

"It's just what the education people did when they chose McBride," he said. "Shouldn't the Democratic Party tell Democrats who to vote for?"

The primary is on Sept. 10.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4207.